US20070196114A1 - Image Forming Apparatus and Developer Cartridge - Google Patents
Image Forming Apparatus and Developer Cartridge Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20070196114A1 US20070196114A1 US11/675,672 US67567207A US2007196114A1 US 20070196114 A1 US20070196114 A1 US 20070196114A1 US 67567207 A US67567207 A US 67567207A US 2007196114 A1 US2007196114 A1 US 2007196114A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- light
- light transmitting
- transmitting portion
- developer cartridge
- edge
- Prior art date
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- Granted
Links
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Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
- G03G15/06—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing
- G03G15/08—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a solid developer, e.g. powder developer
- G03G15/0822—Arrangements for preparing, mixing, supplying or dispensing developer
- G03G15/0848—Arrangements for testing or measuring developer properties or quality, e.g. charge, size, flowability
- G03G15/0856—Detection or control means for the developer level
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
- G03G15/06—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing
- G03G15/08—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a solid developer, e.g. powder developer
- G03G15/0822—Arrangements for preparing, mixing, supplying or dispensing developer
- G03G15/0848—Arrangements for testing or measuring developer properties or quality, e.g. charge, size, flowability
- G03G15/0856—Detection or control means for the developer level
- G03G15/0862—Detection or control means for the developer level the level being measured by optical means
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
- G03G15/06—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing
- G03G15/08—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a solid developer, e.g. powder developer
- G03G15/0822—Arrangements for preparing, mixing, supplying or dispensing developer
- G03G15/0887—Arrangements for conveying and conditioning developer in the developing unit, e.g. agitating, removing impurities or humidity
- G03G15/0889—Arrangements for conveying and conditioning developer in the developing unit, e.g. agitating, removing impurities or humidity for agitation or stirring
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G2215/00—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes
- G03G2215/06—Developing structures, details
- G03G2215/0634—Developing device
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G2215/00—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes
- G03G2215/08—Details of powder developing device not concerning the development directly
- G03G2215/0888—Arrangements for detecting toner level or concentration in the developing device
- G03G2215/0891—Optical detection
- G03G2215/0894—Optical detection through a light transmissive window in the developer container wall
- G03G2215/0897—Cleaning of the light transmissive window
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
- G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G03G2221/00—Processes not provided for by group G03G2215/00, e.g. cleaning or residual charge elimination
- G03G2221/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements and complete machine concepts
- G03G2221/18—Cartridge systems
- G03G2221/1815—Cartridge systems for cleaning or developing but not being a process cartridge
Definitions
- aspects of the present invention relate to an image forming apparatus such as a laser printer, and a developer cartridge installed in the image forming apparatus.
- the toner is generally contained in a developer cartridge.
- the toner is consumed when image forming is repeated, thereby decreasing the remaining amount of toner in the developer cartridge.
- an apparatus for detecting the remaining amount of toner in a developer cartridge.
- a toner container that is detachable from an image forming apparatus is disclosed.
- a second light guide is installed on the top of the toner container while a first light guide is installed on the bottom.
- Light emitted from an LED travels inside the toner container through the first light guide, and then travels through the second light guide to be received by the phototransistor.
- the remaining amount of toner in the toner container is estimated, based on the result of analysis of the received light.
- the LED and phototransistor are located on the same board.
- the light from the LED is deflected by about 90° by the first light guide to travel through the toner container from the bottom to the top.
- the traveling light is deflected by about 90° by the second light guide.
- the light traveling through the second light guide is received by the phototransistor.
- the toner container When the toner container is detached from the image forming apparatus, the light from the LED is not received by the phototransistor, because the light cannot be deflected. On the other hand, if a new toner container is attached to the image forming apparatus, the light from the LED is blocked by the toner from traveling further, so the light does not reach the phototransistor, because the amount of toner in the container is full.
- At least some aspects of the invention are directed to easily detecting the amount of developer in a developer cartridge and detecting whether the developer cartridge is attached to the image forming apparatus.
- FIG. 1 represents a figure showing one example of a color laser printer according to illustrative aspects of the invention.
- FIG. 2 represents a cross-portion drawing of a developer cartridge according to illustrative aspects of the invention.
- FIG. 3 represents a side view of a developer cartridge.
- FIG. 4 represents a view of a developer cartridge along the line A-A of the color laser printer shown in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 5 represents a first aspect in which a modification is made to the developer cartridge in FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 6 represents a second aspect in which a modification is made to the developer cartridge in FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 7 represents another aspect in which a modification is made to the developer cartridge in FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 8 represents another aspect in which a modification is made to the developer cartridge in FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 9 represents another aspect in which a modification is made to the developer cartridge in FIG. 8 .
- FIG. 10 represents yet another aspect in which a modification is made to the developer cartridge in FIG. 8 .
- FIG. 11 represents a further aspect in which a modification is made to the developer cartridge in FIG. 8 .
- FIG. 12 represents an aspect in which a modification is made to the developer cartridge in FIG. 3 .
- FIGS. 13A and 13B represent a view of the amount of toner filled in a standard type of developer cartridge and a view of the amount of toner filled in a long-life type of developer cartridge, respectively.
- a color laser printer 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , multiple parallel process portions 13 (e.g. cartridges) are located horizontally in a box-shaped housing 2 .
- a paper feeder portion 4 for feeding paper 3 In the housing 2 , a paper feeder portion 4 for feeding paper 3 , an image forming portion 5 for forming an image on the paper 3 , and a paper ejection portion 6 for ejecting the paper 3 are provided.
- a front cover 38 is installed on the sidewall of the housing 2 to open or close the housing 2 .
- the front cover 38 can pivot around the lower-edge portion. When the front cover 38 is opened, the process portion 13 becomes detachable from the housing 2 .
- the right side of FIG. 1 (the side where the front cover 38 is installed) is referred to as the “front side,” while the left side of FIG. 1 is referred to as the “back side.” Furthermore, the near side of the direction vertical to the drawing plane of FIG. 1 is referred to as the “left side,” while the far side of the direction vertical to the drawing plane of FIG. 1 is referred to as the “right side.”
- a light sensor 61 is installed to detect the remaining amount of toner contained in the developer cartridge 18 when the developer cartridge 18 is installed in the process portion 13 .
- the light sensor 61 includes a light emitting device 57 and a light receiving device 58 .
- An LED may be used as the light emitting device 57 .
- a phototransistor may be used as the light receiving device 58 .
- the light emitting device 57 is located on the left side of the developer cartridge 18
- the light receiving device 58 is located on the right side of the developer cartridge 18 .
- light emitted from the light emitting device 57 travels from left to right along the light path A, shown as a dashed arrow in FIG. 4 , and is directly received by the light receiving device 58 .
- the paper feeder portion 4 includes a cassette 7 , a pickup roller 8 , a feed path 9 , a pair of feed rollers 10 , and a pair of registration rollers 11 .
- the paper 3 is stacked in the cassette 7 and the top-most sheet of paper 3 is sent out to the feed path 9 as the feed roller 8 rotates.
- the paper 3 sent to the feed path 9 is conveyed by the feed rollers 10 and the registration rollers 11 .
- the image forming portion 5 includes a scanner unit 12 , process portion 13 , transfer portion 14 , and fixation portion 15 .
- the scanner unit 12 is located above the multiple process portions 13 at the top inside the housing 2 .
- the scanner unit 12 includes a semiconductor laser, a polygon mirror, an f ⁇ lens, a reflecting mirror, and a lens for optical face angle error correction for each color.
- a laser beam emitted from the semiconductor laser illuminates the surface of a photoconductive drum 16 via each optical component.
- Process portions 13 are installed corresponding to the color of the toner.
- the process portions 13 include four portions: yellow process portion 13 Y, magenta process portion 13 M, cyan process portion 13 C, and black process portion 13 K.
- the process portions 13 are arranged next to each other from front to back, with some space between them. When the front cover 38 is opened, the process portions 13 Y, 13 M, 13 C, and 13 K become detachable from front to back.
- Each of the process portions 13 Y, 13 M, 13 C and 13 K includes a photoconductive drum 16 , a charger 17 , and a developer cartridge 18 .
- the photoconductive drum 16 includes a drum body that has a photoconductor on the surface and a drum axis supporting the drum body to enable rotation.
- the charger 17 includes a wire and a grid that are arranged facing each other without contacting the photoconductive drum 16 . When charged bias is applied to the wire and grid, corona is discharged and the surface of the photoconductive drum 16 is evenly charged.
- the developer cartridge 18 is detachable from the process portion 13 .
- the developer cartridge 18 When the developer cartridge 18 is attached to the process portion 13 , it becomes detachable from the housing 2 .
- the developer cartridge 18 When the developer cartridge 18 is attached to the process portion 13 and the process portion 13 is attached to the housing 2 , the developer cartridge 18 is positioned in front of the photoconductive drum 16 .
- the developer cartridge 18 includes a casing 19 , a developer roller 20 disposed inside the casing 19 , a supply roller 21 , and a film thickness regulating blade 22 .
- the casing 19 is formed in the shape of a box. As shown in FIG. 2 , a dividing wall 66 is installed inside the casing 19 . The space inside the casing 19 is divided by the dividing wall 66 into a developer chamber 23 and a developing chamber 67 .
- the developer chamber 23 contains developer, which in the examples described herein is toner and will be referred to from hereon as toner chamber 23 .
- the developing chamber 67 contains a developer roller 20 , a supply roller 21 , and a film thickness regulating blade 22 .
- a rectangular opening portion 24 is formed, which is longer horizontally than vertically. When the developer cartridge 18 is attached to the process portion 13 , the opening portion 24 faces the photoconductive drum 16 .
- the casing 19 includes a pair of sidewalls 37 L and 37 R that are facing each other with some space between them.
- the left side of the sidewall is referred to as 37 L
- the right side of the sidewall is referred to as 37 R.
- the dividing wall 66 is vertically located in the middle of the casing 19 to vertically divide the cartridge casing 19 .
- the toner chamber 23 is located above the dividing wall 66 , while the developing chamber 67 is located below the dividing wall 66 .
- a drain passage 68 is formed in the dividing wall 66 . The toner in the toner chamber 23 is sent to the developing chamber 67 through the drain passage 68 .
- an agitator 26 is installed for blending the toner in the toner chamber 23 .
- the agitator 26 includes an axis 40 and a mixer member 41 .
- the axis 40 is supported by the sidewalls 37 L and 37 R at approximately the center of the toner chamber 23 .
- the mixer member 41 is installed to extend in the direction of the axis 40 , i.e. horizontally as shown in FIG. 4 .
- an agitator gear 47 is fitted into the left edge portion of the axis 40 .
- Driving force from a motor installed in the housing 2 is input to the axis 40 via the agitator driving gear 47 to rotate the mixer member 41 .
- a wiper 42 is installed on the agitator 26 .
- the wiper 42 is installed on both the left and right edge portions of the mixer member 41 .
- the wiper 42 is made of elastic material such as urethane rubber or polyethylene terephthalate film. As the mixer member 41 rotates, the wiper 42 moves around the axis 40 as if depicting a circle and contacting the sidewalls 37 L and 37 R.
- the developer roller 20 is located in the casing 19 , with part of the side surface exposed from the opening portion 24 .
- the developer roller 20 is pressed against the photoconductive drum 16 .
- the developer roller 20 includes a developer roller axis 59 made of metal covered by electrically conductive rubber material.
- the developer roller axis 59 is supported by the sidewalls 37 L and 37 R of the casing 19 for free rotation. As shown in FIG. 3 , a developer roller gear 49 is fitted onto the left edge portion of the developer roller axis 59 . Driving force from a motor installed in the housing 2 can be input to the developer roller axis 59 via the developer roller driving gear 49 to rotate the developer roller 20 .
- the supply roller 21 is pressed against the developer roller 20 .
- the supply roller 21 includes a supply roller axis 60 made of metal covered by electrically conductive sponge material.
- the supply roller axis 60 is supported by the sidewalls 37 L and 37 R of the casing 19 for free rotation.
- a supply roller gear 50 is fitted into the left edge portion of the supply roller axis 60 .
- Driving force from a motor installed in the housing 2 is input to the supply roller axis 60 via the supply roller driving gear 50 to rotate the supply roller 21 .
- a gear portion 39 and a gear cover (not shown), which covers the gear portion 39 , are installed on the left side of the sidewall 37 L.
- the gear portion 39 includes an input gear 44 having an axis 51 , a first middle gear 45 having an axis 52 , a second middle gear 46 having an axis 53 , an agitator gear 47 with the axis 40 , a middle gear 48 having an axis 54 , a developer roller gear 49 having an axis 59 , and a supply roller gear 50 with the axis 60 , as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 .
- driving force from the driving gear 43 installed in the housing 2 is applied to the input gear 44 .
- the first middle gear 45 and second middle gear 46 are fitted into the input gear 44 .
- the agitator gear 47 is fitted into the first middle gear 45 .
- the third middle gear 48 is fitted into the second middle gear 46 .
- the developer roller gear 49 and supply roller gear 50 are fitted into the third middle gear 48 .
- the driving force from the driving gear 43 is input to the input gear 44 , the driving force is conveyed to the agitator gear 47 via the first middle gear 45 , as shown in FIG. 3 .
- the driving force is also conveyed to the developer roller gear 49 from the input gear 44 via the second middle gear 46 and via the third middle gear 48 .
- the driving force is also conveyed to the supply roller gear 50 from the input gear 44 via the second middle gear 46 and via the third middle gear 48 .
- the agitator 26 , supply roller 21 , and developer roller 20 are rotated.
- the film thickness regulating blade 22 is supported by the housing 19 at a position above the developer roller 20 .
- the edge of the thickness regulating blade 22 is pressed against the developer roller 20 .
- the yellow toner is contained in the toner chamber 23 in the yellow process portion 13 Y.
- Magenta toner is contained in the toner chamber 23 in the magenta process portion 13 M.
- Cyan toner is contained in the toner chamber 23 in the cyan process portion 13 C.
- Black toner is contained in the toner chamber 23 in the black process portion 13 K.
- the toner contained in the toner chamber 23 is mixed by the agitator 26 .
- the toner reaches the developing chamber 67 through the drain passage 68 due to gravity.
- the toner is supplied to the developer roller 20 via the supply roller 21 .
- the toner supplied on the developer roller 20 passes between the film thickness regulating blade 22 and the developer roller 20 to form a thin film with constant thickness, which is maintained on the surface of the developer roller 20 .
- the photoconductive drum 16 After the surface of the photoconductive drum 16 is positively charged evenly by the charger 17 , it is exposed to laser light emitted from the scanner unit 12 , and an electrostatic latent image is formed.
- the toner maintained on the surface of the developer roller 20 is supplied to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoconductive drum 16 , wherein the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductive drum 16 becomes visible.
- the transfer portion 14 is located above the paper cassette 7 and below the process portion 13 in the housing 2 .
- the transfer portion 14 includes a driving roller 27 , a driven roller 28 , a transfer belt 29 , and transfer rollers 30 .
- the driving roller 27 is located behind and below the photoconductive drum 16 of the black process portion 13 K.
- the driven roller 28 is located at the front and below the photoconductive drum 16 of the yellow process portion 13 Y.
- the transfer belt 29 is an endless belt that is rolled between the driving roller 27 and driven roller 28 .
- the outside surface of the transfer belt 29 contacts each photoconductive drum 16 of each process portion 13 .
- the transfer belt 29 moves around between the driving roller 27 and driven roller 28 .
- Each transfer roller 30 is situated inside the locus of the transfer belt 29 .
- the transfer belt 29 is held between each transfer roller 30 and a corresponding photoconductive drum 16 .
- Each transfer roller 30 includes a roller axis made of metal covered by electrically conductive rubber material. The roller axis of each transfer roller 30 extends horizontally and is supported by the housing 2 to enable free rotation.
- the paper 3 fed from the paper feeder 4 is transferred from front to back by the transfer belt 29 .
- the yellow toner on the surface of the photoconductive drum 16 of the yellow process portion 13 Y is transferred to the paper 3 .
- the magenta toner on the surface of the photoconductive drum 16 of the magenta process portion 13 M is transferred on top of the yellow toner.
- the cyan toner and black toner are transferred on top of the yellow toner and magenta toner.
- a color image is formed on the paper 3 .
- the fixation portion 15 is located at the back of the transfer portion 14 .
- the fixation portion 15 includes a heating roller 31 , a pressure roller 32 , and a transfer roller 33 .
- the heating roller 31 includes a metal tube with an exfoliating film on its surface.
- a halogen lamp is situated inside the metal tube. When the halogen lamp is turned on, the surface of the heating roller 31 is heated.
- the pressure roller 32 is located below the heating roller 31 and pushes the bottom of the heating roller 31 .
- the transfer roller 33 includes a pair of rollers and is located behind the heating roller 31 and pressure roller 32 .
- the paper 3 is heated and pressed when it passes through the heating roller 31 and pressure roller 32 , and the color image on the paper 3 is fixed on the paper 3 .
- the paper 3 with the fixed color image is sent to the paper ejection portion 6 by the transfer roller 33 .
- the paper ejection portion 6 includes a paper ejection path 34 , paper ejection rollers 35 , and a paper catch tray 36 .
- the paper ejection rollers 35 are installed as a pair of rollers at the downstream edge of the paper ejection path 34 .
- the paper catch tray 36 is a wall forming the top surface of the housing 2 .
- the top surface of the paper catch tray 36 is slanted downward from front to back.
- the paper 3 sent from the transfer roller 33 is ejected toward the front by the paper ejection roller 35 via the paper ejection path 34 .
- the ejected paper 3 is stacked on the paper catch tray 36 .
- a through-hole 55 is formed through the sidewalls 37 L and 37 R at a position above the gear portion 39 .
- the edge portion 62 of the light transmitting tube 56 is inserted into the through-hole 55 .
- the light transmitting tube 56 is formed as a hollow circular cylinder in a simple Z shape.
- the left light transmitting tube 56 L is located inside the left sidewall 37 L.
- the right light transmitting tube 56 R is located inside the right sidewall 37 R.
- the face of the inner circumference of the light transmitting tubes 56 L and 56 R is a mirror surface that fully reflects the light.
- the light transmitting tubes 56 L and 56 R are common parts.
- Light transmitting tube 56 L and light transmitting tube 56 R are situated in positions symmetrical to the baseline Z in FIG. 4 , vertically parallel to enable light to pass through the center of the toner chamber 23 .
- a first deflecting portion 63 On the light transmitting tube 56 , a first deflecting portion 63 , a second deflecting portion 64 , and another edge portion 65 as well as the edge portion 62 described above are formed integrally.
- An outer window 25 L is inserted at the left edge portion of the edge portion 62 L of the left light transmitting tube 56 L.
- the outer window 25 L is a transparent circular plate.
- the peripheral surface of the outer window 25 L is in close contact with the inner surface of the edge portion 62 L.
- the edge portion 62 L is located above the axis 40 of the agitator 26 .
- the light transmitting tube 56 L extends right from the edge portion 62 L and bends downward at the inner surface of the sidewall 37 L.
- the bended point serves as the first deflecting portion 63 L.
- On the first deflecting portion 63 L a reflecting surface that is formed slants to the right and downward by 45° from a line parallel to the light path A.
- the light transmitting tube 56 L extends downward along the inner surface of the sidewall 37 L from the first deflecting portion 63 L and bends right at the second deflecting portion 64 L.
- the position of the second deflecting portion 64 L is projected horizontally in FIG. 4 , it overlaps the position of gear portion 39 .
- the position of the second deflecting portion 64 L is situated slightly higher than the dividing wall 66 and drain passage 68 .
- a reflecting surface slants to the right and downward by 45° from a line parallel to the light path B.
- the light transmitting tube 56 L extends from the second deflecting portion 64 L to the right side through the edge portion 65 L of the light transmitting tube 56 L. Therefore, the distance from the edge portion 62 L to the drain passage 68 is larger than the distance from the edge portion 65 L to the drain passage 68 .
- An inner window 72 L is inserted in the right edge portion of the edge portion 65 L.
- the inner window 72 L is a transparent circular plate. The peripheral surface of the inner window 72 L is in close contact with the inner surface of the edge portion 65 L.
- the edge portion 65 L is located below the axis 40 of the agitator 26 .
- the edge portion 65 L is located at a position to match the movement locus of the wiper 42 as the axis 40 rotates. Therefore, when the wiper 42 moves, it contacts the inner window 72 L so that the wiper 42 cleans the inner window 72 L.
- An outer window 25 R is inserted in the right edge portion of the edge portion 62 R of the right light transmitting tube 56 R.
- the outer window 25 R is a transparent circular plate.
- the peripheral surface of the outer window 25 R is in close contact with the inner surface of the edge portion 62 R.
- the edge portion 62 R is located above the axis 40 of the agitator 26 .
- the light transmitting tube 56 R extends left from the edge portion 62 R and bends downward at the inner surface of the sidewall 37 R.
- the bended point serves as the first deflecting portion 63 R.
- a reflecting surface slants to the left and downward by 45° from a line parallel to the light path A.
- the light transmitting tube 56 R extends downward along the inner surface of the sidewall 37 R from the first deflecting portion 63 R and bends to the left at the second deflecting portion 64 R.
- the position of the second deflecting portion 64 R is projected horizontally in FIG. 4 , it overlaps the position of gear portion 39 .
- the position of the second deflecting portion 64 R is located slightly higher than the dividing wall 66 and drain passage 68 .
- a reflecting surface slants to the left and downward by 45° from a line parallel to the light path B.
- the light transmitting tube 56 R extends from the second deflecting portion 64 R to the left side through the edge portion 65 R of the light transmitting tube 56 R. Therefore, the distance from the edge portion 62 R to the drain passage 68 is larger than the distance from the edge portion 65 R to the drain passage 68 .
- An inner window 72 R is inserted in the left edge portion of the edge portion 65 R.
- the inner window 72 R is a transparent circular plate.
- the peripheral surface of the inner window 72 R is in close contact with the inner surface of the edge portion 65 R.
- the edge portion 65 R is located below the axis 40 of the agitator 26 .
- the edge portion 65 R is located at a position to match the movement locus of the wiper 42 as the axis 40 rotates. Therefore, when the wiper 42 moves, it contacts the inner window 72 R so that the wiper 42 cleans the inner window 72 R.
- the edge portion 65 R of the right light transmitting tube 56 R and the edge portion 65 L of the left light transmitting tube 56 L are positioned to face each other.
- the edge portion 62 R of the right light transmitting tube 56 R and the edge portion 62 L of the left light transmitting tube 56 L are positioned to face each other.
- the line connecting the edge portion 65 R and the edge portion 65 L is parallel to the line connecting the edge portion 62 R and edge portion 62 L.
- the light emitting device 57 faces the outer window 25 L, whereas the light receiving device 58 faces the outer window 25 R.
- Light emitted from the light emitting device 57 enters the light transmitting tube 56 L through the outer window 25 L.
- the light travels to the right from the edge portion 62 L toward the first deflecting portion 63 L, and at the first deflecting portion 63 L, the light is deflected by 90° to travel downward.
- the second deflecting portion 64 L the light is deflected by 90° to travel to the right.
- the light is emitted from the inner window 72 L to the toner chamber 23 and travels to the right inside the toner chamber 23 .
- the light enters the light transmitting tube 56 R through the inner window 72 R.
- the light entering from the inner window 72 R into the light transmitting tube 56 R travels right to the second deflecting portion 64 R, and at the second deflecting portion 64 R the light is deflected by 90° upward.
- the light is further deflected by 90° at the first deflecting portion 63 R to travel to the right and radiates through the outer window 25 R, and then the light is received by the light receiving device 58 .
- the CPU detects the remaining amount of toner in the toner chamber 23 according to the light detection status at the light receiving device 58 .
- the light receiving device 58 does not detect the light, because the light emitted from the inner window 72 L to the toner chamber 23 is blocked by the toner.
- the light receiving device 58 detects the light.
- the CPU displays a “Toner Empty” warning on the operation panel, based on the detected results in order to prompt the user to replace the developer cartridge 18 .
- the remaining amount immediately before the toner is empty is the amount of toner left in the toner chamber 23 up to the upper limit of the edge portions 65 L and 65 R of the light transmitting tubes 56 L and 56 R.
- the edge portions 65 L and 65 R of the light transmitting tubes 56 L and 56 R are located just above the dividing wall 66 and the drain passage 68 .
- the toner passes through the drain passage 68 by gravity.
- the toner is almost empty in the toner chamber 23 and most of the toner remaining in the developer cartridge 18 is in the developing chamber 67 .
- the CPU determines that it is not time to replace the developer cartridge 18 .
- the CPU determines that the amount of toner in the toner chamber 23 has become less than the defined amount and displays a warning on the operation panel that the toner is empty in order to prompt the user to replace the developer cartridge 18 .
- the CPU can detect that the developer cartridge 18 is attached to the housing 2 based on detection results of the light receiving device 58 .
- the developer cartridge 18 When the developer cartridge 18 is attached to the housing 2 , if the remaining amount of the toner is higher than the edge portions 65 L and 65 R of the light transmitting tubes 56 L and 56 R, the light that should travel along the light path B is blocked by the toner and is unable to travel through the toner chamber 23 . This makes it impossible for the light to be received by the light receiving device 58 . Therefore, it is possible to detect that the remaining amount of toner in the toner chamber 23 is sufficient.
- the developer cartridge 18 is attached to the housing 2 ” and “the remaining amount of toner in the developer cartridge 18 is sufficient.”
- the light emitted into the toner chamber 23 through the light transmitting tube 56 L is not blocked by the toner from traveling further, and it travels along the light path B through the toner chamber 23 before being received by the light receiving device 58 through the light transmitting tube 56 R. Therefore, it is possible to detect that the remaining amount of toner in the toner chamber 23 has decreased to the state at which “replacement of the developer cartridge 18 ” is necessary. Note that the light path A and the light path B are parallel to each other.
- the light transmitting tubes 56 L and 56 R are configured to deflect light, so light can enter the toner chamber 23 or be emitted from the toner chamber 23 at any point on the sidewalls 37 L and 37 R.
- the edge portion 62 L of the light transmitting tube 56 L is located above the gear portion 39 , so the light emitted from the light emitting device 57 can freely enter the edge portion 62 L without being blocked by the gear portion 39 .
- the light transmitting tubes 56 L and 56 R are configured to deflect light, so the edge portions 65 L and 65 R can be located at the most suitable position to detect the remaining amount of toner.
- the gear portion 39 can be located in a position so as to efficiently apply drive force to each gear.
- the functions of the color laser printer 1 and the developer cartridge 18 can be improved.
- the degree of freedom in design of the developer cartridge 18 can be increased.
- the edge portions 62 L and 62 R can be situated so as to be symmetric with respect to a parallel plane, passing through the baseline Z, while the edge portions 65 L and 65 R are situated so as to be symmetrical with the parallel plane, passing through the baseline Z.
- This positioning can be realized simply by changing the direction where the common parts, light transmitting tube 56 L, and the light transmitting tube 56 R are positioned.
- a developer cartridge 18 can be easily produced.
- the light emitting device 57 and light receiving device 58 are positioned on opposite end of a horizontal line through the casing 19 , so the color laser printer 1 may be simply configured.
- the light transmitting tube 56 L and 56 R are configured to change the traveling direction of light, so the amount of toner in the toner chamber 23 can be easily and accurately detected according to the type of developer cartridge 18 . This is explained in detail below.
- FIG. 13A represents a view of the amount of toner filled in a standard type developer cartridge 18 S
- FIG. 13B represents a view of the amount of toner filled in a long-life type developer cartridge 18 L.
- the toner In a standard type of developer cartridge 18 S, the toner is filled sufficiently to print 4,000 pages when printed at a 5% printing ratio on an A4-size sheet of paper. In a long-life type of developer cartridge 18 L, the toner is sufficiently filled to print 6,000 pages when printed at a 5% printing ratio on an A4-size sheet of paper.
- toner As shown in FIG. 13A , 130 grams of toner is filled in a toner chamber 23 S in the standard type of developer cartridge 18 S. 104 grams of toner is used to print 4,000 pages, and the remaining 26 grams is not available for use after 4,000 pages are printed. This 26 grams of toner accounts for toner deterioration due to mechanical fatigue, which is continuously incurred by being mixed with an agitator, heat fatigue incurred when toner is not supplied to a photoconductive drum is returned to the toner chamber 23 S, or aging.
- Charging of deteriorated toner is more difficult than charging fresh toner, as the deteriorated toner often adheres to an area other than electrostatic latent images on the photoconductive drum, resulting in poor images.
- the position through which the light travels is horizontally different according to the amount of toner filled in the toner chamber 23 . Therefore, the position of the light emitting device and the light receiving device installed in the housing and the position of the through-hole installed on the developer cartridge must be adjusted to a position where the light passes through according to the type of toner chamber 23 and its corresponding threshold amount.
- the standard type of developer cartridge 18 S could be configured for light to pass through the toner chamber 23 S at position Y, when the remaining amount of toner becomes 40 grams.
- the standard type developer cartridge 18 S to print 4,000 pages 104 grams of toner would be needed as described above, but 144 grams of the toner must have been filled originally in the developer cartridge to achieve the 4,000 page level of performance because it will be determined that the toner needs to be replaced when the remaining amount is 40 grams as opposed to 26 grams. As such, 14 grams of toner would effectively be unnecessarily wasted if a standard type developer cartridge were used with 144 grams toner capacity.
- Each toner contains different components for each color, so each has different deterioration characteristics. For example, if the yellow toner deteriorates earlier than the black toner, when 4,000 pages are printed for the standard type of developer cartridge 18 S, the remaining amount of toner unavailable for use is 26 grams for black but 50 grams for yellow.
- the horizontal positions of the light emitting device, light receiving device, and through-hole should be changed according to the color of the toner.
- the horizontal positions of the light emitting device, light receiving device, and through-hole are common for a yellow cartridge and a black cartridge, to exchange the yellow cartridge and black cartridge at the same time after 4,000 pages are printed out, 154 grams of toner must be filled for both the yellow toner chamber 23 and black toner chamber 23 , which would result in 24 grams of yellow toner being wasted.
- the edge portions 65 L and 65 R of the light transmitting tubes 56 L and 56 R are positioned just above the threshold amount of remaining toner that indicates that it is time to replace the developer cartridge 18 , while the edge portions 62 L and 62 R of the light transmitting tubes 56 L and 56 R are positioned above the gear portion 39 .
- the light emitting device 57 , light receiving device 58 , and through-hole 55 can be set at common positions away from the gear portion 39 , regardless of the differences in the characteristics of the developer cartridge 18 such as toner filling amount and differences in toner type such as toner colors.
- Edge potions 62 L and 62 R and edge portions 65 L and 65 R can be set at the most suitable position by selecting the length between the first deflecting part 63 L and the second deflecting part 64 L of the light transmitting tube 56 L, and the length between the first deflecting portion 63 R and the second deflecting portion 64 R of the light transmitting tube 56 R.
- FIG. 5 represents a first aspect, example 1, in which a modification is made to the developer cartridge 18 in FIG. 4 .
- the same symbols refer to the same parts described above, so the description thereof has been omitted.
- the edge portion 62 R of the right light transmitting tube 56 R, the light receiving device 58 , and the right toner detection outer window 25 R may be set lower than the edge portion 62 L of the left light transmitting tube 56 L, light emitting device 57 , and left toner detection outer window 25 L.
- the edge portion 62 L of the left light transmitting tube 56 L, light emitting device 57 , and left toner detection outer window 25 L may be set lower than the edge portion 62 R of the right light transmitting tube 56 R, light receiving device 58 , and right toner detection outer window 25 R.
- another component can be placed at the previous position from which the light emitting device 57 or light receiving device 58 was moved.
- the light emitting device 57 and light receiving device 58 are not located on a line in the left/right direction of FIG. 5 when the developer cartridge 18 is detached from the housing 2 . If the position of the light emitting device 57 and the light receiving device 58 is adjusted so that the detected light emitted from the light emitting device 57 is directly received by the light receiving device 58 , it is possible to detect the toner amount or whether the developer cartridge 18 is attached to the housing 2 .
- FIG. 6 represents a second aspect, example 2, in which a modification is made to the developer cartridge 18 in FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 7 represents another aspect in which the modifications in examples 1 and 2 are applied to the developer cartridge in FIG. 4 . Note that the same symbols refer to the same parts described above, and the description thereof has been omitted in FIGS. 6 and 7 .
- the edge portion 65 L of the left light transmitting tube 56 L may be set above the edge portion 65 R of the right light transmitting tube 56 R.
- the edge portion 65 R of the right light transmitting tube 56 R may be set above the other edge portion 65 L of the left light transmitting tube 56 L.
- the edge portion 65 L and the edge portion 65 R should be set so that the bottom of the light path C (refer to the dotted arrow in FIG. 6 ) detecting light from the left edge portion 65 L to the right edge portion 65 R is positioned just above the threshold amount of toner at which it is time to replace the developer cartridge 18 .
- the edge portion 62 R of the right light transmitting tube 56 R, light receiving device 58 , and right outer window 25 R may be set below the edge portion 65 L of the left light transmitting tube 56 L, light emitting device 57 , and left outer window 25 L, and the edge portion 65 L of the left light transmitting tube 56 L may be set above the edge portion 65 R of the right light transmitting tube 56 R.
- edge portion 62 L of the left light transmitting tube 56 L, light emitting device 57 , and left outer window 25 L may be set below the edge portion 62 R of the left light transmitting tube 56 R, light receiving device 58 , and right outer window 25 R, and the edge portion 65 R of the right light transmitting tube 56 R may be set above the edge portion 65 L of the left light transmitting tube 56 L.
- FIG. 8 represents another aspect, example 3, in which a modification is made to the developer cartridge 18 in FIG. 4 . Note that the same symbols have been added to the same parts described above, and the descriptions thereof have been omitted in FIG. 8 .
- the toner chamber 23 is detachable from the developing chamber 67 .
- the toner chamber 23 includes a casing 81 of a developer cartridge 80 .
- the developing chamber 67 includes the casing 70 of the developing cartridge 69 .
- Outer windows 25 L and 25 R are formed on the casing 81 .
- a through-hole 71 is formed on the casing 70 .
- the through-hole 71 is located so as to correspond with the outer windows 25 L and 25 R.
- Light from the light emitting device 57 enters the light transmitting tube 56 L through the through-hole 71 and the outer window 25 L.
- Light from the light transmitting tube 56 R is received by the light receiving device 58 through the outer window 25 R and the through-hole 71 .
- modification in example 1 may be applied to example 3 as such, (refer to FIG. 9 ) or the modification in example 2 may similarly be applied (refer to FIG. 10 ).
- the modifications in examples 1 and 2 may be combined and applied to FIG. 8 (refer to FIG. 11 ).
- FIG. 12 represents a further aspect, example 4, in which a modification is made to the developer cartridge 18 in FIG. 3 . Note that the same symbols refer to the same parts described above, and the descriptions thereof are omitted in FIG. 12 .
- One edge portion 62 of the light transmitting tube 56 may be set at a position away from the developer cartridge 18 when it is projected horizontally.
- the light emitting device 57 and light receiving device 58 may be similarly set at a position away from the developer cartridge 18 when it is projected horizontally.
- the distance between one edge portion 62 and the other edge portion 65 is set according to the position of the edge portion 62 of each light transmitting tube 56 .
- the light emitting device 57 , light receiving device 58 , and one edge portion 62 can be freely set at a position away from parts such as the gear portion 39 that block light from traveling.
- the color laser printer 1 and developer cartridge 18 can be configured more simply.
- the light transmitting tube 56 is configured as a circular tube formed with a mirror surface in which the inner circumference fully reflects light. If the light transmitting tube 56 includes optic fiber or an acrylic sheet it provides the effect of the light transmitting tube 56 described above. Furthermore, to form the light path B shown in FIG. 4 , the configuration includes only a reflecting mirror to be set at the positions of the first deflecting portion 63 and the second deflecting portion 64 .
- a color laser printer 1 that directly transfers an image from each photoconductive drum 16 to the paper 3 .
- a type of color laser printer may be configured wherein a toner image for each color is transferred to and intermediate body once from each photoconductor, and is then transferred to paper from the intermediate body.
- a monochrome laser printer may be configured.
- the developer cartridge can be applied to powder developer as well as to liquid developer.
Abstract
Description
- This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-041250, filed on Feb. 17, 2006, the entire subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference.
- Aspects of the present invention relate to an image forming apparatus such as a laser printer, and a developer cartridge installed in the image forming apparatus.
- In an image forming apparatus such as a laser printer, the toner is generally contained in a developer cartridge. The toner is consumed when image forming is repeated, thereby decreasing the remaining amount of toner in the developer cartridge.
- In Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2004-301896, an apparatus is provided for detecting the remaining amount of toner in a developer cartridge. A toner container that is detachable from an image forming apparatus is disclosed. A second light guide is installed on the top of the toner container while a first light guide is installed on the bottom. Light emitted from an LED travels inside the toner container through the first light guide, and then travels through the second light guide to be received by the phototransistor. The remaining amount of toner in the toner container is estimated, based on the result of analysis of the received light. The LED and phototransistor are located on the same board. The light from the LED is deflected by about 90° by the first light guide to travel through the toner container from the bottom to the top. The traveling light is deflected by about 90° by the second light guide. The light traveling through the second light guide is received by the phototransistor.
- When the toner container is detached from the image forming apparatus, the light from the LED is not received by the phototransistor, because the light cannot be deflected. On the other hand, if a new toner container is attached to the image forming apparatus, the light from the LED is blocked by the toner from traveling further, so the light does not reach the phototransistor, because the amount of toner in the container is full.
- Therefore, in the detector described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2004-301896, the state in which the toner container is detached from the image forming apparatus cannot be distinguished from the state in which a new toner container is attached to the image forming apparatus.
- At least some aspects of the invention are directed to easily detecting the amount of developer in a developer cartridge and detecting whether the developer cartridge is attached to the image forming apparatus.
-
FIG. 1 represents a figure showing one example of a color laser printer according to illustrative aspects of the invention. -
FIG. 2 represents a cross-portion drawing of a developer cartridge according to illustrative aspects of the invention. -
FIG. 3 represents a side view of a developer cartridge. -
FIG. 4 represents a view of a developer cartridge along the line A-A of the color laser printer shown inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 5 represents a first aspect in which a modification is made to the developer cartridge inFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 6 represents a second aspect in which a modification is made to the developer cartridge inFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 7 represents another aspect in which a modification is made to the developer cartridge inFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 8 represents another aspect in which a modification is made to the developer cartridge inFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 9 represents another aspect in which a modification is made to the developer cartridge inFIG. 8 . -
FIG. 10 represents yet another aspect in which a modification is made to the developer cartridge inFIG. 8 . -
FIG. 11 represents a further aspect in which a modification is made to the developer cartridge inFIG. 8 . -
FIG. 12 represents an aspect in which a modification is made to the developer cartridge inFIG. 3 . -
FIGS. 13A and 13B represent a view of the amount of toner filled in a standard type of developer cartridge and a view of the amount of toner filled in a long-life type of developer cartridge, respectively. - In a color laser printer 1, as shown in
FIG. 1 , multiple parallel process portions 13 (e.g. cartridges) are located horizontally in a box-shaped housing 2. In thehousing 2, apaper feeder portion 4 forfeeding paper 3, animage forming portion 5 for forming an image on thepaper 3, and a paper ejection portion 6 for ejecting thepaper 3 are provided. - A
front cover 38 is installed on the sidewall of thehousing 2 to open or close thehousing 2. Thefront cover 38 can pivot around the lower-edge portion. When thefront cover 38 is opened, theprocess portion 13 becomes detachable from thehousing 2. - Note that in the description below, the right side of
FIG. 1 (the side where thefront cover 38 is installed) is referred to as the “front side,” while the left side ofFIG. 1 is referred to as the “back side.” Furthermore, the near side of the direction vertical to the drawing plane ofFIG. 1 is referred to as the “left side,” while the far side of the direction vertical to the drawing plane ofFIG. 1 is referred to as the “right side.” - In the
housing 2, as shown inFIG. 4 , alight sensor 61 is installed to detect the remaining amount of toner contained in thedeveloper cartridge 18 when thedeveloper cartridge 18 is installed in theprocess portion 13. Thelight sensor 61 includes alight emitting device 57 and alight receiving device 58. An LED may be used as thelight emitting device 57. A phototransistor may be used as thelight receiving device 58. Thelight emitting device 57 is located on the left side of thedeveloper cartridge 18, while thelight receiving device 58 is located on the right side of thedeveloper cartridge 18. When thedeveloper cartridge 18 is not attached to thehousing 2, light emitted from thelight emitting device 57 travels from left to right along the light path A, shown as a dashed arrow inFIG. 4 , and is directly received by thelight receiving device 58. - (1) Paper Feeder Portion
- As shown in
FIG. 1 , thepaper feeder portion 4 includes a cassette 7, apickup roller 8, a feed path 9, a pair offeed rollers 10, and a pair ofregistration rollers 11. - The
paper 3 is stacked in the cassette 7 and the top-most sheet ofpaper 3 is sent out to the feed path 9 as thefeed roller 8 rotates. - The
paper 3 sent to the feed path 9 is conveyed by thefeed rollers 10 and theregistration rollers 11. - (2) Image Forming Portion
- The
image forming portion 5 includes ascanner unit 12,process portion 13,transfer portion 14, andfixation portion 15. - (2-1) Scanner Unit
- The
scanner unit 12 is located above themultiple process portions 13 at the top inside thehousing 2. Thescanner unit 12 includes a semiconductor laser, a polygon mirror, an fθ lens, a reflecting mirror, and a lens for optical face angle error correction for each color. A laser beam emitted from the semiconductor laser illuminates the surface of aphotoconductive drum 16 via each optical component. - (2-2) Process Portions
-
Multiple process portions 13 are installed corresponding to the color of the toner. Theprocess portions 13 include four portions:yellow process portion 13Y,magenta process portion 13M, cyan process portion 13C, andblack process portion 13K. Theprocess portions 13 are arranged next to each other from front to back, with some space between them. When thefront cover 38 is opened, theprocess portions - Each of the
process portions photoconductive drum 16, acharger 17, and adeveloper cartridge 18. - (2-2-1) Photoconductive Drum and Charger
- The
photoconductive drum 16 includes a drum body that has a photoconductor on the surface and a drum axis supporting the drum body to enable rotation. - The
charger 17 includes a wire and a grid that are arranged facing each other without contacting thephotoconductive drum 16. When charged bias is applied to the wire and grid, corona is discharged and the surface of thephotoconductive drum 16 is evenly charged. - (2-2-2) Developer Cartridge
- The
developer cartridge 18 is detachable from theprocess portion 13. When thedeveloper cartridge 18 is attached to theprocess portion 13, it becomes detachable from thehousing 2. - When the
developer cartridge 18 is attached to theprocess portion 13 and theprocess portion 13 is attached to thehousing 2, thedeveloper cartridge 18 is positioned in front of thephotoconductive drum 16. Thedeveloper cartridge 18 includes acasing 19, adeveloper roller 20 disposed inside thecasing 19, asupply roller 21, and a filmthickness regulating blade 22. - The
casing 19 is formed in the shape of a box. As shown inFIG. 2 , a dividingwall 66 is installed inside thecasing 19. The space inside thecasing 19 is divided by the dividingwall 66 into adeveloper chamber 23 and a developingchamber 67. Thedeveloper chamber 23 contains developer, which in the examples described herein is toner and will be referred to from hereon astoner chamber 23. The developingchamber 67 contains adeveloper roller 20, asupply roller 21, and a filmthickness regulating blade 22. On the back wall of thecasing 19, arectangular opening portion 24 is formed, which is longer horizontally than vertically. When thedeveloper cartridge 18 is attached to theprocess portion 13, the openingportion 24 faces thephotoconductive drum 16. As shown inFIG. 4 , thecasing 19 includes a pair ofsidewalls - The dividing
wall 66 is vertically located in the middle of thecasing 19 to vertically divide thecartridge casing 19. Thetoner chamber 23 is located above the dividingwall 66, while the developingchamber 67 is located below the dividingwall 66. Adrain passage 68 is formed in the dividingwall 66. The toner in thetoner chamber 23 is sent to the developingchamber 67 through thedrain passage 68. - As shown in
FIG. 2 , anagitator 26 is installed for blending the toner in thetoner chamber 23. Theagitator 26 includes anaxis 40 and amixer member 41. - The
axis 40 is supported by thesidewalls toner chamber 23. Themixer member 41 is installed to extend in the direction of theaxis 40, i.e. horizontally as shown inFIG. 4 . As shown inFIG. 3 , anagitator gear 47 is fitted into the left edge portion of theaxis 40. Driving force from a motor installed in thehousing 2 is input to theaxis 40 via theagitator driving gear 47 to rotate themixer member 41. - As shown in
FIG. 4 , awiper 42 is installed on theagitator 26. Thewiper 42 is installed on both the left and right edge portions of themixer member 41. Thewiper 42 is made of elastic material such as urethane rubber or polyethylene terephthalate film. As themixer member 41 rotates, thewiper 42 moves around theaxis 40 as if depicting a circle and contacting thesidewalls - As shown in
FIG. 2 , thedeveloper roller 20 is located in thecasing 19, with part of the side surface exposed from the openingportion 24. When thedeveloper cartridge 18 is attached to theprocess portion 13, as shown inFIG. 1 , thedeveloper roller 20 is pressed against thephotoconductive drum 16. Thedeveloper roller 20 includes adeveloper roller axis 59 made of metal covered by electrically conductive rubber material. - The
developer roller axis 59 is supported by thesidewalls casing 19 for free rotation. As shown inFIG. 3 , adeveloper roller gear 49 is fitted onto the left edge portion of thedeveloper roller axis 59. Driving force from a motor installed in thehousing 2 can be input to thedeveloper roller axis 59 via the developerroller driving gear 49 to rotate thedeveloper roller 20. - As shown in
FIG. 2 , thesupply roller 21 is pressed against thedeveloper roller 20. Thesupply roller 21 includes asupply roller axis 60 made of metal covered by electrically conductive sponge material. Thesupply roller axis 60 is supported by thesidewalls casing 19 for free rotation. As shown inFIG. 3 , asupply roller gear 50 is fitted into the left edge portion of thesupply roller axis 60. Driving force from a motor installed in thehousing 2 is input to thesupply roller axis 60 via the supplyroller driving gear 50 to rotate thesupply roller 21. - In
FIG. 4 , agear portion 39 and a gear cover (not shown), which covers thegear portion 39, are installed on the left side of thesidewall 37L. - The
gear portion 39 includes aninput gear 44 having anaxis 51, a firstmiddle gear 45 having anaxis 52, a secondmiddle gear 46 having anaxis 53, anagitator gear 47 with theaxis 40, amiddle gear 48 having anaxis 54, adeveloper roller gear 49 having anaxis 59, and asupply roller gear 50 with theaxis 60, as shown inFIG. 3 andFIG. 4 . When thedeveloper cartridge 18 is attached to thehousing 2, driving force from thedriving gear 43 installed in thehousing 2 is applied to theinput gear 44. The firstmiddle gear 45 and secondmiddle gear 46 are fitted into theinput gear 44. Theagitator gear 47 is fitted into the firstmiddle gear 45. The thirdmiddle gear 48 is fitted into the secondmiddle gear 46. Thedeveloper roller gear 49 andsupply roller gear 50 are fitted into the thirdmiddle gear 48. - When driving force from the
driving gear 43 is input to theinput gear 44, the driving force is conveyed to theagitator gear 47 via the firstmiddle gear 45, as shown inFIG. 3 . The driving force is also conveyed to thedeveloper roller gear 49 from theinput gear 44 via the secondmiddle gear 46 and via the thirdmiddle gear 48. Furthermore, the driving force is also conveyed to thesupply roller gear 50 from theinput gear 44 via the secondmiddle gear 46 and via the thirdmiddle gear 48. As described above, theagitator 26,supply roller 21, anddeveloper roller 20 are rotated. - As shown in
FIG. 2 , the filmthickness regulating blade 22 is supported by thehousing 19 at a position above thedeveloper roller 20. The edge of thethickness regulating blade 22 is pressed against thedeveloper roller 20. - As shown in
FIG. 1 , the yellow toner is contained in thetoner chamber 23 in theyellow process portion 13Y. Magenta toner is contained in thetoner chamber 23 in themagenta process portion 13M. Cyan toner is contained in thetoner chamber 23 in the cyan process portion 13C. Black toner is contained in thetoner chamber 23 in theblack process portion 13K. - (2-2-3) Developing Operation
- When an image is formed, the toner contained in the
toner chamber 23 is mixed by theagitator 26. The toner reaches the developingchamber 67 through thedrain passage 68 due to gravity. In the developingchamber 67, the toner is supplied to thedeveloper roller 20 via thesupply roller 21. As thedeveloper roller 20 rotates, the toner supplied on thedeveloper roller 20 passes between the filmthickness regulating blade 22 and thedeveloper roller 20 to form a thin film with constant thickness, which is maintained on the surface of thedeveloper roller 20. - After the surface of the
photoconductive drum 16 is positively charged evenly by thecharger 17, it is exposed to laser light emitted from thescanner unit 12, and an electrostatic latent image is formed. - Next, the toner maintained on the surface of the
developer roller 20 is supplied to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of thephotoconductive drum 16, wherein the electrostatic latent image on thephotoconductive drum 16 becomes visible. - (2-3) Transfer Portion
- The
transfer portion 14 is located above the paper cassette 7 and below theprocess portion 13 in thehousing 2. Thetransfer portion 14 includes a drivingroller 27, a drivenroller 28, atransfer belt 29, and transferrollers 30. - The driving
roller 27 is located behind and below thephotoconductive drum 16 of theblack process portion 13K. - The driven
roller 28 is located at the front and below thephotoconductive drum 16 of theyellow process portion 13Y. - The
transfer belt 29 is an endless belt that is rolled between the drivingroller 27 and drivenroller 28. The outside surface of thetransfer belt 29 contacts eachphotoconductive drum 16 of eachprocess portion 13. - As the driving
roller 27 rotates thetransfer belt 29 moves around between the drivingroller 27 and drivenroller 28. - Each
transfer roller 30 is situated inside the locus of thetransfer belt 29. Thetransfer belt 29 is held between eachtransfer roller 30 and a correspondingphotoconductive drum 16. Eachtransfer roller 30 includes a roller axis made of metal covered by electrically conductive rubber material. The roller axis of eachtransfer roller 30 extends horizontally and is supported by thehousing 2 to enable free rotation. - The
paper 3 fed from thepaper feeder 4 is transferred from front to back by thetransfer belt 29. During the transfer, the yellow toner on the surface of thephotoconductive drum 16 of theyellow process portion 13Y is transferred to thepaper 3. Then, on thepaper 3 on which the yellow toner is already transferred, the magenta toner on the surface of thephotoconductive drum 16 of themagenta process portion 13M is transferred on top of the yellow toner. Similarly, the cyan toner and black toner are transferred on top of the yellow toner and magenta toner. As described above, a color image is formed on thepaper 3. - (2-4) Fixation Portion
- The
fixation portion 15 is located at the back of thetransfer portion 14. Thefixation portion 15 includes aheating roller 31, apressure roller 32, and atransfer roller 33. Theheating roller 31 includes a metal tube with an exfoliating film on its surface. A halogen lamp is situated inside the metal tube. When the halogen lamp is turned on, the surface of theheating roller 31 is heated. Thepressure roller 32 is located below theheating roller 31 and pushes the bottom of theheating roller 31. Thetransfer roller 33 includes a pair of rollers and is located behind theheating roller 31 andpressure roller 32. - The
paper 3 is heated and pressed when it passes through theheating roller 31 andpressure roller 32, and the color image on thepaper 3 is fixed on thepaper 3. Thepaper 3 with the fixed color image is sent to the paper ejection portion 6 by thetransfer roller 33. - (3) Paper Ejection Portion
- The paper ejection portion 6 includes a
paper ejection path 34,paper ejection rollers 35, and apaper catch tray 36. - The
paper ejection rollers 35 are installed as a pair of rollers at the downstream edge of thepaper ejection path 34. - The
paper catch tray 36 is a wall forming the top surface of thehousing 2. The top surface of thepaper catch tray 36 is slanted downward from front to back. - The
paper 3 sent from thetransfer roller 33 is ejected toward the front by thepaper ejection roller 35 via thepaper ejection path 34. The ejectedpaper 3 is stacked on thepaper catch tray 36. - As shown in
FIG. 4 , a through-hole 55 is formed through thesidewalls gear portion 39. - The
edge portion 62 of thelight transmitting tube 56 is inserted into the through-hole 55. Thelight transmitting tube 56 is formed as a hollow circular cylinder in a simple Z shape. The leftlight transmitting tube 56L is located inside theleft sidewall 37L. The rightlight transmitting tube 56R is located inside theright sidewall 37R. The face of the inner circumference of thelight transmitting tubes light transmitting tubes Light transmitting tube 56L andlight transmitting tube 56R are situated in positions symmetrical to the baseline Z inFIG. 4 , vertically parallel to enable light to pass through the center of thetoner chamber 23. - On the
light transmitting tube 56, afirst deflecting portion 63, asecond deflecting portion 64, and anotheredge portion 65 as well as theedge portion 62 described above are formed integrally. - An
outer window 25L is inserted at the left edge portion of theedge portion 62L of the leftlight transmitting tube 56L. Theouter window 25L is a transparent circular plate. The peripheral surface of theouter window 25L is in close contact with the inner surface of theedge portion 62L. Theedge portion 62L is located above theaxis 40 of theagitator 26. - The
light transmitting tube 56L extends right from theedge portion 62L and bends downward at the inner surface of thesidewall 37L. The bended point serves as thefirst deflecting portion 63L. On thefirst deflecting portion 63L, a reflecting surface that is formed slants to the right and downward by 45° from a line parallel to the light path A. Thelight transmitting tube 56L extends downward along the inner surface of thesidewall 37L from thefirst deflecting portion 63L and bends right at thesecond deflecting portion 64L. When the position of thesecond deflecting portion 64L is projected horizontally inFIG. 4 , it overlaps the position ofgear portion 39. The position of thesecond deflecting portion 64L is situated slightly higher than the dividingwall 66 anddrain passage 68. - On the
second deflecting portion 64L, a reflecting surface slants to the right and downward by 45° from a line parallel to the light path B. - The
light transmitting tube 56L extends from thesecond deflecting portion 64L to the right side through theedge portion 65L of thelight transmitting tube 56L. Therefore, the distance from theedge portion 62L to thedrain passage 68 is larger than the distance from theedge portion 65L to thedrain passage 68. Aninner window 72L is inserted in the right edge portion of theedge portion 65L. Theinner window 72L is a transparent circular plate. The peripheral surface of theinner window 72L is in close contact with the inner surface of theedge portion 65L. - The
edge portion 65L is located below theaxis 40 of theagitator 26. Theedge portion 65L is located at a position to match the movement locus of thewiper 42 as theaxis 40 rotates. Therefore, when thewiper 42 moves, it contacts theinner window 72L so that thewiper 42 cleans theinner window 72L. - An
outer window 25R is inserted in the right edge portion of theedge portion 62R of the rightlight transmitting tube 56R. Theouter window 25R is a transparent circular plate. The peripheral surface of theouter window 25R is in close contact with the inner surface of theedge portion 62R. Theedge portion 62R is located above theaxis 40 of theagitator 26. - The
light transmitting tube 56R extends left from theedge portion 62R and bends downward at the inner surface of thesidewall 37R. The bended point serves as thefirst deflecting portion 63R. On thefirst deflecting portion 63R, a reflecting surface slants to the left and downward by 45° from a line parallel to the light path A. - The
light transmitting tube 56R extends downward along the inner surface of thesidewall 37R from thefirst deflecting portion 63R and bends to the left at thesecond deflecting portion 64R. When the position of thesecond deflecting portion 64R is projected horizontally inFIG. 4 , it overlaps the position ofgear portion 39. The position of thesecond deflecting portion 64R is located slightly higher than the dividingwall 66 anddrain passage 68. On thesecond deflecting portion 64R, a reflecting surface slants to the left and downward by 45° from a line parallel to the light path B. - The
light transmitting tube 56R extends from thesecond deflecting portion 64R to the left side through theedge portion 65R of thelight transmitting tube 56R. Therefore, the distance from theedge portion 62R to thedrain passage 68 is larger than the distance from theedge portion 65R to thedrain passage 68. - An
inner window 72R is inserted in the left edge portion of theedge portion 65R. Theinner window 72R is a transparent circular plate. The peripheral surface of theinner window 72R is in close contact with the inner surface of theedge portion 65R. - The
edge portion 65R is located below theaxis 40 of theagitator 26. Theedge portion 65R is located at a position to match the movement locus of thewiper 42 as theaxis 40 rotates. Therefore, when thewiper 42 moves, it contacts theinner window 72R so that thewiper 42 cleans theinner window 72R. - The
edge portion 65R of the rightlight transmitting tube 56R and theedge portion 65L of the leftlight transmitting tube 56L are positioned to face each other. Theedge portion 62R of the rightlight transmitting tube 56R and theedge portion 62L of the leftlight transmitting tube 56L are positioned to face each other. The line connecting theedge portion 65R and theedge portion 65L is parallel to the line connecting theedge portion 62R andedge portion 62L. - When the
developer cartridge 18 is attached to thehousing 2, thelight emitting device 57 faces theouter window 25L, whereas thelight receiving device 58 faces theouter window 25R. - Light emitted from the
light emitting device 57 enters thelight transmitting tube 56L through theouter window 25L. - Inside the
light transmitting tube 56L, the light travels to the right from theedge portion 62L toward thefirst deflecting portion 63L, and at thefirst deflecting portion 63L, the light is deflected by 90° to travel downward. At thesecond deflecting portion 64L the light is deflected by 90° to travel to the right. The light is emitted from theinner window 72L to thetoner chamber 23 and travels to the right inside thetoner chamber 23. The light enters thelight transmitting tube 56R through theinner window 72R. - The light entering from the
inner window 72R into thelight transmitting tube 56R travels right to thesecond deflecting portion 64R, and at thesecond deflecting portion 64R the light is deflected by 90° upward. The light is further deflected by 90° at thefirst deflecting portion 63R to travel to the right and radiates through theouter window 25R, and then the light is received by thelight receiving device 58. - When the
developer cartridge 18 is attached to thehousing 2, light emitted from thelight emitting device 57 travels along the light path B indicated by the dotted line inFIG. 4 and reaches thelight receiving device 58. - The CPU detects the remaining amount of toner in the
toner chamber 23 according to the light detection status at thelight receiving device 58. When the remaining amount of toner in thetoner chamber 23 exceeds “the remaining amount immediately before the toner is empty,” thelight receiving device 58 does not detect the light, because the light emitted from theinner window 72L to thetoner chamber 23 is blocked by the toner. - On the other hand, when the remaining amount of toner in the
toner chamber 23 becomes less than “the remaining amount immediately before the toner is empty,” the light is not blocked by the toner. At this time, thelight receiving device 58 detects the light. The CPU displays a “Toner Empty” warning on the operation panel, based on the detected results in order to prompt the user to replace thedeveloper cartridge 18. - “The remaining amount immediately before the toner is empty” is the amount of toner left in the
toner chamber 23 up to the upper limit of theedge portions light transmitting tubes - As described above, the
edge portions light transmitting tubes wall 66 and thedrain passage 68. The toner passes through thedrain passage 68 by gravity. When the amount of toner left is up to the upper limit of theedge portions toner chamber 23 and most of the toner remaining in thedeveloper cartridge 18 is in the developingchamber 67. - When the toner is filled above the top of the
edge portions inner window 72L is covered by the toner so that the light is blocked by the toner and does not travel through thetoner chamber 23. Because the light is not received by the receivingdevice 58, the CPU determines that it is not time to replace thedeveloper cartridge 18. - On the other hand, if the top of the toner in the
toner chamber 23 is below theedge portions toner chamber 23 through theinner window 72L is not blocked by the toner. The light travels through thetoner chamber 23 and is received by thelight receiving device 58 through thelight transmitting tube 56R. The CPU determines that the amount of toner in thetoner chamber 23 has become less than the defined amount and displays a warning on the operation panel that the toner is empty in order to prompt the user to replace thedeveloper cartridge 18. - As described above, when the
developer cartridge 18 is not attached to thehousing 2, light emitted from thelight emitting device 57 travels from left to right along the light path A and is directly received by thelight receiving device 58 as shown in theFIG. 4 . When thedeveloper cartridge 18 is attached to thehousing 2, the light path A is blocked by thedeveloper cartridge 18 so that the light is not received by thelight receiving device 58. Therefore, the CPU can detect that thedeveloper cartridge 18 is attached to thehousing 2 based on detection results of thelight receiving device 58. - When the
developer cartridge 18 is attached to thehousing 2, if the remaining amount of the toner is higher than theedge portions light transmitting tubes toner chamber 23. This makes it impossible for the light to be received by thelight receiving device 58. Therefore, it is possible to detect that the remaining amount of toner in thetoner chamber 23 is sufficient. - According to this aspect, it can be easily detected that “the
developer cartridge 18 is attached to thehousing 2” and “the remaining amount of toner in thedeveloper cartridge 18 is sufficient.” - On the other hand, when the toner in the
toner chamber 23 is consumed and the top of the toner is located below theedge portions light transmitting tubes toner chamber 23 through thelight transmitting tube 56L is not blocked by the toner from traveling further, and it travels along the light path B through thetoner chamber 23 before being received by thelight receiving device 58 through thelight transmitting tube 56R. Therefore, it is possible to detect that the remaining amount of toner in thetoner chamber 23 has decreased to the state at which “replacement of thedeveloper cartridge 18” is necessary. Note that the light path A and the light path B are parallel to each other. - The
light transmitting tubes toner chamber 23 or be emitted from thetoner chamber 23 at any point on thesidewalls - The
edge portion 62L of thelight transmitting tube 56L is located above thegear portion 39, so the light emitted from thelight emitting device 57 can freely enter theedge portion 62L without being blocked by thegear portion 39. - The
light transmitting tubes edge portions gear portion 39 can be located in a position so as to efficiently apply drive force to each gear. - Consequently, the functions of the color laser printer 1 and the
developer cartridge 18 can be improved. At the same time, the degree of freedom in design of thedeveloper cartridge 18 can be increased. - The
edge portions edge portions light transmitting tube 56L, and thelight transmitting tube 56R are positioned. Thus, adeveloper cartridge 18 can be easily produced. - The
light emitting device 57 andlight receiving device 58 are positioned on opposite end of a horizontal line through thecasing 19, so the color laser printer 1 may be simply configured. - The
light transmitting tube toner chamber 23 can be easily and accurately detected according to the type ofdeveloper cartridge 18. This is explained in detail below. - (1) Toner Filling Amount
- Two types of the
developer cartridge 18—standard and long-life—are available for the same color according to usage by users.FIG. 13A represents a view of the amount of toner filled in a standardtype developer cartridge 18S, whereasFIG. 13B represents a view of the amount of toner filled in a long-lifetype developer cartridge 18L. - In a standard type of
developer cartridge 18S, the toner is filled sufficiently to print 4,000 pages when printed at a 5% printing ratio on an A4-size sheet of paper. In a long-life type ofdeveloper cartridge 18L, the toner is sufficiently filled to print 6,000 pages when printed at a 5% printing ratio on an A4-size sheet of paper. - As shown in
FIG. 13A , 130 grams of toner is filled in atoner chamber 23S in the standard type of developer cartridge 18S. 104 grams of toner is used to print 4,000 pages, and the remaining 26 grams is not available for use after 4,000 pages are printed. This 26 grams of toner accounts for toner deterioration due to mechanical fatigue, which is continuously incurred by being mixed with an agitator, heat fatigue incurred when toner is not supplied to a photoconductive drum is returned to thetoner chamber 23S, or aging. - Charging of deteriorated toner is more difficult than charging fresh toner, as the deteriorated toner often adheres to an area other than electrostatic latent images on the photoconductive drum, resulting in poor images.
- To prevent poor images, it is necessary for light to pass through the
toner chamber 23S at position X representing the threshold amount of 26 grams of toner contained in thetoner chamber 23S. - When more than the threshold amount, 26 grams, of toner is left, at position X, light is blocked by the toner and not received by the light receiving device such that continued use of the toner is appropriate. When the remaining amount of toner is equal to or less than the threshold amount, 26 grams, the light passes through the
toner chamber 23S and is received by thelight receiving device 58 so that a warning may be generated, e.g. displayed, to indicate that it is time to replace the toner. - As shown in
FIG. 13B , 200 grams of toner is filled in atoner chamber 23L in the long-lifetype developer cartridge 18L. The number of pages to be printed is greater than the standard type, so deteriorating factors have a potentially greater impact on the toner, and the threshold amount of toner for the long-life developer cartridge 18L is 40 grams, which is greater than the threshold amount of 26 grams for the standardtype developer cartridge 18S. Therefore, when the remaining amount of toner in thetoner chamber 23L is 40 grams, light must be able to pass through thetoner chamber 23L at position Y, which is higher than position X where the light is able to pass through thetoner chamber 23S with the standardtype developer cartridge 18S. - When the light transmitting tube described above is not employed, the position through which the light travels is horizontally different according to the amount of toner filled in the
toner chamber 23. Therefore, the position of the light emitting device and the light receiving device installed in the housing and the position of the through-hole installed on the developer cartridge must be adjusted to a position where the light passes through according to the type oftoner chamber 23 and its corresponding threshold amount. However, it is not very practical to require the user to change the positions of the light emitting device, light receiving device, and through-hole according to the type of developer cartridge which has been installed. Effectively, it may be necessary to use two types of printer one to accommodate a standard type developer cartridge and a second to accommodate a long-life developer cartridge. - For configurations without a light transmitting tube, it can be necessary to arrange the light emitting device, light receiving device, and through-hole at the same height as position X or position Y. However, the height of position X and position Y would be closer to the height of the gear portion so that the degree of freedom for arranging the light emitting device and light receiving device is further limited.
- On the other hand, the standard type of
developer cartridge 18S could be configured for light to pass through thetoner chamber 23S at position Y, when the remaining amount of toner becomes 40 grams. However, for the standardtype developer cartridge 18S to print 4,000 pages 104 grams of toner would be needed as described above, but 144 grams of the toner must have been filled originally in the developer cartridge to achieve the 4,000 page level of performance because it will be determined that the toner needs to be replaced when the remaining amount is 40 grams as opposed to 26 grams. As such, 14 grams of toner would effectively be unnecessarily wasted if a standard type developer cartridge were used with 144 grams toner capacity. - (2) Toner Type
- As described above, a colored toner—cyan, magenta, yellow, black—is filled in each
toner chamber 23 in thedeveloper cartridge 18. Each toner contains different components for each color, so each has different deterioration characteristics. For example, if the yellow toner deteriorates earlier than the black toner, when 4,000 pages are printed for the standard type ofdeveloper cartridge 18S, the remaining amount of toner unavailable for use is 26 grams for black but 50 grams for yellow. - Therefore, the horizontal positions of the light emitting device, light receiving device, and through-hole should be changed according to the color of the toner. In addition, when the horizontal positions of the light emitting device, light receiving device, and through-hole are common for a yellow cartridge and a black cartridge, to exchange the yellow cartridge and black cartridge at the same time after 4,000 pages are printed out, 154 grams of toner must be filled for both the
yellow toner chamber 23 andblack toner chamber 23, which would result in 24 grams of yellow toner being wasted. - (3) Effects of Action for the Light Transmitting Tube
- In the illustrative color laser printer 1, the
edge portions light transmitting tubes developer cartridge 18, while theedge portions light transmitting tubes gear portion 39. - By bending the light path using the
light transmitting tube light emitting device 57,light receiving device 58, and through-hole 55 can be set at common positions away from thegear portion 39, regardless of the differences in the characteristics of thedeveloper cartridge 18 such as toner filling amount and differences in toner type such as toner colors. -
Edge potions edge portions part 63L and thesecond deflecting part 64L of thelight transmitting tube 56L, and the length between thefirst deflecting portion 63R and thesecond deflecting portion 64R of thelight transmitting tube 56R. -
FIG. 5 represents a first aspect, example 1, in which a modification is made to thedeveloper cartridge 18 inFIG. 4 . Note that inFIG. 5 , the same symbols refer to the same parts described above, so the description thereof has been omitted. - As shown in example 1 in
FIG. 5 , theedge portion 62R of the rightlight transmitting tube 56R, thelight receiving device 58, and the right toner detectionouter window 25R may be set lower than theedge portion 62L of the leftlight transmitting tube 56L, light emittingdevice 57, and left toner detectionouter window 25L. Conversely, theedge portion 62L of the leftlight transmitting tube 56L, light emittingdevice 57, and left toner detectionouter window 25L may be set lower than theedge portion 62R of the rightlight transmitting tube 56R,light receiving device 58, and right toner detectionouter window 25R. - Thus, another component can be placed at the previous position from which the
light emitting device 57 orlight receiving device 58 was moved. However, thelight emitting device 57 andlight receiving device 58 are not located on a line in the left/right direction ofFIG. 5 when thedeveloper cartridge 18 is detached from thehousing 2. If the position of thelight emitting device 57 and thelight receiving device 58 is adjusted so that the detected light emitted from thelight emitting device 57 is directly received by thelight receiving device 58, it is possible to detect the toner amount or whether thedeveloper cartridge 18 is attached to thehousing 2. -
FIG. 6 represents a second aspect, example 2, in which a modification is made to thedeveloper cartridge 18 inFIG. 4 . Furthermore,FIG. 7 represents another aspect in which the modifications in examples 1 and 2 are applied to the developer cartridge inFIG. 4 . Note that the same symbols refer to the same parts described above, and the description thereof has been omitted inFIGS. 6 and 7 . - As shown in
FIG. 6 , as example 2, theedge portion 65L of the leftlight transmitting tube 56L may be set above theedge portion 65R of the rightlight transmitting tube 56R. Conversely, theedge portion 65R of the rightlight transmitting tube 56R may be set above theother edge portion 65L of the leftlight transmitting tube 56L. - In this case, to accurately detect the amount of toner in the
toner chamber 23, theedge portion 65L and theedge portion 65R should be set so that the bottom of the light path C (refer to the dotted arrow inFIG. 6 ) detecting light from theleft edge portion 65L to theright edge portion 65R is positioned just above the threshold amount of toner at which it is time to replace thedeveloper cartridge 18. - Alternatively, as shown in
FIG. 7 , by combining examples 1 and 2, theedge portion 62R of the rightlight transmitting tube 56R,light receiving device 58, and rightouter window 25R may be set below theedge portion 65L of the leftlight transmitting tube 56L, light emittingdevice 57, and leftouter window 25L, and theedge portion 65L of the leftlight transmitting tube 56L may be set above theedge portion 65R of the rightlight transmitting tube 56R. Conversely, theedge portion 62L of the leftlight transmitting tube 56L, light emittingdevice 57, and leftouter window 25L may be set below theedge portion 62R of the leftlight transmitting tube 56R,light receiving device 58, and rightouter window 25R, and theedge portion 65R of the rightlight transmitting tube 56R may be set above theedge portion 65L of the leftlight transmitting tube 56L. -
FIG. 8 represents another aspect, example 3, in which a modification is made to thedeveloper cartridge 18 inFIG. 4 . Note that the same symbols have been added to the same parts described above, and the descriptions thereof have been omitted inFIG. 8 . - In the example 3 shown in
FIG. 8 , thetoner chamber 23 is detachable from the developingchamber 67. Thetoner chamber 23 includes acasing 81 of adeveloper cartridge 80. The developingchamber 67 includes thecasing 70 of the developingcartridge 69.Outer windows casing 81. A through-hole 71 is formed on thecasing 70. When thedeveloper cartridge 80 is attached to the developingcartridge 69, the through-hole 71 is located so as to correspond with theouter windows light emitting device 57 enters thelight transmitting tube 56L through the through-hole 71 and theouter window 25L. Light from thelight transmitting tube 56R is received by thelight receiving device 58 through theouter window 25R and the through-hole 71. - The above-described modification in example 1 may be applied to example 3 as such, (refer to
FIG. 9 ) or the modification in example 2 may similarly be applied (refer toFIG. 10 ). Alternatively, the modifications in examples 1 and 2 may be combined and applied toFIG. 8 (refer toFIG. 11 ). -
FIG. 12 represents a further aspect, example 4, in which a modification is made to thedeveloper cartridge 18 inFIG. 3 . Note that the same symbols refer to the same parts described above, and the descriptions thereof are omitted inFIG. 12 . - One
edge portion 62 of thelight transmitting tube 56 may be set at a position away from thedeveloper cartridge 18 when it is projected horizontally. Alternatively, thelight emitting device 57 andlight receiving device 58 may be similarly set at a position away from thedeveloper cartridge 18 when it is projected horizontally. In this case, the distance between oneedge portion 62 and theother edge portion 65 is set according to the position of theedge portion 62 of each light transmittingtube 56. - With this configuration, the
light emitting device 57,light receiving device 58, and oneedge portion 62 can be freely set at a position away from parts such as thegear portion 39 that block light from traveling. - Thus, the color laser printer 1 and
developer cartridge 18 can be configured more simply. - In the aspects and examples described above, the
light transmitting tube 56 is configured as a circular tube formed with a mirror surface in which the inner circumference fully reflects light. If thelight transmitting tube 56 includes optic fiber or an acrylic sheet it provides the effect of thelight transmitting tube 56 described above. Furthermore, to form the light path B shown inFIG. 4 , the configuration includes only a reflecting mirror to be set at the positions of the first deflectingportion 63 and thesecond deflecting portion 64. - In the above aspects and examples, a color laser printer 1 is shown that directly transfers an image from each
photoconductive drum 16 to thepaper 3. One skilled in the art will appreciate that aspects of the invention are not limited to these aspects. A type of color laser printer may be configured wherein a toner image for each color is transferred to and intermediate body once from each photoconductor, and is then transferred to paper from the intermediate body. Alternatively, a monochrome laser printer may be configured. In addition, the developer cartridge can be applied to powder developer as well as to liquid developer.
Claims (10)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2006041250A JP2007219294A (en) | 2006-02-17 | 2006-02-17 | Image forming apparatus and developer cartridge |
JPP2006-041250 | 2006-02-17 |
Publications (2)
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US20070196114A1 true US20070196114A1 (en) | 2007-08-23 |
US7751728B2 US7751728B2 (en) | 2010-07-06 |
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US11/675,672 Active 2028-12-14 US7751728B2 (en) | 2006-02-17 | 2007-02-16 | Image forming apparatus and developer cartridge having light transmitting portion to allow amount of developer to be detected |
Country Status (5)
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US (1) | US7751728B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1821158B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2007219294A (en) |
CN (1) | CN100529987C (en) |
AT (1) | ATE551635T1 (en) |
Cited By (8)
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US20070230973A1 (en) * | 2006-03-28 | 2007-10-04 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Developing Cartridge and Image Forming Apparatus |
US20100080610A1 (en) * | 2008-09-26 | 2010-04-01 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Developing cartridge that includes member to be pressed by image-bearing-member cartridge |
US20110008063A1 (en) * | 2009-07-08 | 2011-01-13 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Toner cartridge |
US20110222916A1 (en) * | 2007-12-28 | 2011-09-15 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Developing Cartridge |
CN102968024A (en) * | 2011-08-31 | 2013-03-13 | 兄弟工业株式会社 | Developer cartridge |
US20130236217A1 (en) * | 2012-03-12 | 2013-09-12 | Yuji Nagatomo | Development device, and image forming apparatus and process unit incorporating same |
US20140093257A1 (en) * | 2012-10-01 | 2014-04-03 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Image forming apparatus |
US20160041496A1 (en) * | 2013-01-30 | 2016-02-11 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Toner Supply Regulation |
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JP4770842B2 (en) * | 2008-01-31 | 2011-09-14 | ブラザー工業株式会社 | Image forming apparatus |
JP4849135B2 (en) * | 2009-01-28 | 2012-01-11 | ブラザー工業株式会社 | Developer cartridge, method of manufacturing the same, and image forming apparatus |
JP5769126B2 (en) * | 2011-03-11 | 2015-08-26 | 株式会社リコー | Image forming apparatus |
JP6305121B2 (en) * | 2014-03-07 | 2018-04-04 | キヤノン株式会社 | Developing unit, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus |
TWI656085B (en) | 2015-01-16 | 2019-04-11 | 虹光精密工業股份有限公司 | Printer |
JP6848672B2 (en) * | 2017-05-17 | 2021-03-24 | ブラザー工業株式会社 | Image forming device |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1821158A2 (en) | 2007-08-22 |
EP1821158A3 (en) | 2008-08-13 |
US7751728B2 (en) | 2010-07-06 |
CN101025594A (en) | 2007-08-29 |
CN100529987C (en) | 2009-08-19 |
JP2007219294A (en) | 2007-08-30 |
EP1821158B1 (en) | 2012-03-28 |
ATE551635T1 (en) | 2012-04-15 |
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